Wall construction



June S 1943. w. MCNEIL 2,321,304

WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 8, 1943. w. M. M NEIL 2,321,304

WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a Hz?! Patented June 8, 1943 WALL CONSTRUCTION William M. McNeil, Wheaton, 111., assignor to United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application October 16, 1939, Serial No. 299,640

30 Claims.

This invention relates to a wall construction and more particularly to a steel base construction for plastered walls and partitions.

It is often desirable in building construction to provide walls and partitions which may be readily and economically positioned to subdivide comparatively large floor spaces into smaller rooms. An economical partition construction may comprise a plaster wall partition which may be supported on expanded metal which in turn is secured to metal wall studs which may extend from the fioor of a room to the ceiling. It is desirable to provide a simple and economical means for fastening the wall studs in order to place the partition in the desired location. It is also desirable to provide a base plate adjacent the lower ends of the studs extending along the floor whereby protection of the wall surface is afforded along the lower edge of the partition.

It is one object of this invention to provide a means for securing studs for partitions to both the floor and the ceiling of a room in such a manner that a firm foundation is provided for expanded metal or other plaster base and plaster and wherein the studs may be readily arranged along any desired line.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means for securing the lower ends of metallic stud members which are independent of a continuously extending base runner and further means for independently and adjustably securing base plates adjacent the lower end of the partition in a novel and economical manner.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the wall construction may comprise a plurality of substantially vertically extending metal wall studs to which may be secured a sheet of expanded metal over which may be applied the desired plaster surface. The metal studs are engaged at their upper ends, preferably adjacent a ceiling, by a suitable ceiling strip. The ceiling strip preferably extends along the line of the desired partition and it comprises a downwardly bent flange portion having a plurality of notches which are adapted to engage or embrace the upper ends of the studs in a plurality of different locations. The studs are attached at their lower ends to a floor or other suitable base by means of a plurality of individual clip members which may be secured to the floor or base in any desired arrangement. It is preferable that each stud engaging clip be positioned directly under that portion of the ceiling strip which engages the upper end of the stud member. The stud engaging clip members for the separate studs engaging clip members.

are separate and individual so that they may be positioned in any desired place along the floor or base without reference to any of the other stud The stud clip members may be secured in place by suitable nails or screws.

The studs are thus held firmly in a substantially vertical position by the ceiling strip and the clip members. Expanded metal or other suitable plaster base may be fastened to the stud members by any desired means and plaster may be applied thereto.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a base plate is provided adjacent the lower end of the partition. The base plate serves to protect the surface of the partition adjacent the floor. The base plate may comprise an elongated plate having a main body portion extending in a plane parallel to that formed by the line of studs and in a direction longitudinally of the lower ends of the studs. The opposing longitudinal edges of the plate have inwardly turned flanges providing oppositely disposed groove-like sockets intowhich suitable projections of a base plate clip member may fit, whereby the base plate clip may be resiliently but firmly attached to the base plate at any position along the groove-like sockets.

Means are provided for securing the base plate clip to the stud engaging clip which latter is securely fastened to the floor or other suitable foundation. Thus the base plate may be firmly secured in fixed relation to the lower line of studs of the partition. The clips are vertically adjustable in relation to each other so that the base plates may be moved vertically within limits in order to compensate for any unevenness in the floor so that the lower edge of the base plate may always firmly abut the floor throughout its length.

Inside or outside corners for partitions may be readily formed using the base plate contemplated in the present invention and described in the accompanying drawings. The base plate may be readily bent to any desired angle merely by notching the inwardly extending flanges and bending the main body portion of the base plate either inwardly or outwardly to the angle desired. If flanges are properly notched, no deformation of the base plate or groove-like sockets takes place during the bending operation and a smooth base plate corner is thus produced.

The oppositely disposed grooves formed by the longitudinally extending flanges in the base plate of the present invention also provide armeans whereby a pair of base plates may be firmly secured together in end-to-end relationship by a suitable resilient tie bar. The tie bar may comprise a plate having oppositely disposed edges adapted to fit in groove-like sockets of the base plate and having a resilient means positioned between said edges for holding them firmly within said sockets. If desired, the base plate clip, the base plate and the tie bar may be constructed in such fashion that a clip may be attached to that portion of the base plate which is also engaged by the tie bar, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

The base plate employed in th present construction may also be readily attached to a base plate clip which is adapted to be secured to a solid wall, a wooden stud member or other suitable foundation.

Advantages to be derived from the use of a wall construction assembled in accordance with this invention will be evident from a detailed description of the structure as indicated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a broken perspective view of a metal wall base construction which may form the foundation for a plaster partition prepared in accordance with one embodiment of this inven tion;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the clip assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of a modified form of a clip assembly engaging a single base plate;

Fig. 5 is an end view of a single clip adapted to engage the lower end of a stud member;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the clip shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a base plate clip adapted to be secured to the stud clip in the manner indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 and which is also adapted to engage a pair of base plates as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an end view of the clip shown in 7;

Fig. 9v is a side view of a base plate clip similar to that shown in Fig. 7 but adapted to engage only one base plate;

Fig. 10 is an outside corner base plate formed by notching the flanges of the plate and bending it in a manner contemplated in the present invention;

Fig. 11 is the same as Fig. 10 showing an inside corner base plate;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a base plate and tie bar assembly showing a means for securing a pair of base plates in end-to-endrelationship by means of a suitable tie bar;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of the tie bar shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side view of a base plate engaging clip adapted to be permanently secured to a solid wall or wooden stud member;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a broken side view of the clip shown in Fig. 14 showing a base plate assembled therewith.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, specific reference is now made to the drawings showing a wall construction set up in accordance with one embodiment of this invention. The construction comprises a plurality of substantially vertically extending channel bar wall studs 20. Expanded metal 22 may be secured to the studs by any suitable means such as a strand of twisted wire 24. The upper ends of the studs 20 are engaged with a ceiling strip 26 which comprises a base portion 28, adapted to lie flush against a ceiling, and a downwardly extending main body portion 30. The base portion 28 of the ceiling strip 26 is provided with a plurality of holes 32 for securing the strip in position by suitable nails or screws. The downwardly extending main body portion of the ceiling strip is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 34 which are adapted to engage the upper ends of the channel bar studs 20. The notches 34 are preferably positioned at close and regular intervals so that the channel bar 20 may be engaged with the ceiling strip 26 at any desired point. The downwardly extending main body portion 36 of the ceiling strip 26 is also provided with a longitudinally extending discontinuous deformation or bead 36. This deformation 36 is preferably of sufficient width to completely fill the channel in the upper end of the channel bar 20. The channel bar 20 is, therefore, incapable of sidewise motion and is incapable of being twisted when it is inserted into a notch 34 of the ceiling strip. Suitable holes or cut-outs 38 are provided between the notches 34 on the body portion 30 to serve as a key for the plaster applied to the upper portion of the partition adjacent the ceiling strip. In addition to providing a means for engaging the upper ends of the channel bars 20, the closely spaced notches 34 in the ceiling strip 26 impart a flexibility to the ceiling strip which allows it to be bent in a vertical plane to conform to any unevenness in the ceiling to which it may be attached.

The lower end of each channel bar stud 20 is held in position by means of an individual L-shaped clip 40 (Figs. 5 and 6) having a base portion 42 and an upwardly extending portion 44. A hole 46 is provided in the base portion 42 for securing the clip in any desired position on a floor by means of suitable nails or screws. A tongue 48 is struck out from the base 42 and the upwardly extending portion 44, said tongue being adapted to engage the lower end of tho channel bar stud 20 to hold the same in place The outside surface of the upwardly extending clip portion 44 contains a series of striations 5| and a struck-out eye portion 52 and is provided also with a vertically extending groove 54, the functions of which will be hereinafter set forth.

Base plates 56 are arranged adjacent the bottom edges of the studs along a. line parallel thereto (Fig. 1). Each base plate 56 comprise a main body portion 58 having a pair of flange: 60 extending along the opposite longitudinal edges thereof to provide oppositely disposed grooves 62. The grooves 62 are adapted to em gage projections 64 positioned at opposite ends of a base plate clip 66 (Figs. 4, 7, 8, and 9). The base plate clip 66 has a resilient means comprising a notch 66 and a deformation or loop 10 extending between the projections 64 to provide a certain amount of resiliency whereby the projections 64 are'held firmly within the grooves 62 of the base plate 56. Slots 12 maybe provided in the clip 66 adjacent a projection 64 to impart further resiliency to the clip for firmly securing the clip in the groove 62 of the base plate 56. Shoulders l4 are provided against which abut the outside edges of the flanges 60 of the base plate 56 so that a space 16 is left between the main body portion of the base plate clip 66 and the main body portion 58 of the base plate 56. In certain types of construction it is desirable that the space 16 be provided so that suitable room is provided for a base plate tie bar as will be hereinafter more fully described,

The base plate clips 66 are secured to the clips 40 as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The securing means comprises a pair of registering nail holes 18 which are positioned in deformation of the base plate 66 and are adapted to permit a nail 60 to pass therethrough. The base plate clip 66 may be assembled in face-to-face relationship with the upwardly extending portion 44 of the L- shaped clip 40 as shown in Fig. 3. The outwardly extending eye 52 on the upwardly extending portion 44 of the clip 40 extends into the recess 82 formed by the deformation 10 in the base plate clip 66. When the base plate clip 66 is in position in relation to the upwardly extending portion 44 of the clip 40, the holes 18 in the deformation 10 register with the eye portion 52 and the nail 80 may be inserted through the holes and the eye in order to firmly hold the base plate clip in face-to-face engagement with the upwardly extending portion 44 of the clip 40. The base plate clip 66 is provided with a plurality of striations 84 which are adapted to register with the striations 50 positioned on the L-shaped clip 40. The nail 80 by reason of its co-operation with the eye portion 52 firmly holds the base plate clip 66 in firm engagement with the L-shaped clip 40, and the registering striations 50 and 84 prevent vertical displacement of the clip in relation to each other. In order to further hold the clips in their relative positions, projections or teats 86 are provided on the inside face of the base plate clip 66 which are adapted to register with the groove 56 positioned in the outer face of the upwardly extending portion 44 of the clip 40. The registry of the projections 86 with the grooves 56 prevents a substantial rotation of the base plate clip 66 with relation to the clip 40.

The base plate clip 66 may be provided with an upwardly projecting portion 88 which serves as a means for grasping the clip between the fingers to enable insertion of the clip in the construction. The side of the head of the nail 80 may also abut the upwardly projecting portion 88 so that the clips 66 and 40 may be firmly secured to each other.

The recess 82 formed by the deformation 10 in the base plate 66 is somewhat larger than the eye portion 52 struck out from the upwardly extending portion 44 of the clip 40. The two clips 40 and 66 may therefore be adjustably assembled in predetermined vertical relationship which is limited by relative size of the eye portion 52 and the recess 82. that the base plate 56 may be adjusted vertically in relation to the bottom edges of the stud 20.

It is by virtue of this construction The construction indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 7 contemplates a partition constructed in accordance with this invention having base plates positioned on either side thereof. It is evident, however, that a base plate construction may be formed in accordance with this invention in which the wall partition is finished only on one .5159 and therefore a base plate is desirable only on that side. A clip suitable for only one base plate is shown in Fig. 9. A single base plate clip assembly is shown in Fi 4.

If desired, the base plate 56 may be secured to a solid wall or wood studs independently of the channel bar or stud members 20 and the clips 40. In order to accomplish this,- a separate independcut clip 90 may be provided which is shown in Figs. 14,15, and 16. The clip 90 comprises a fastening or base portion 92 adapted to lie adjacent a suitable foundation and contains nail or screw holes 94 which are adapted to fasten the clip to the foundation. A strengthening rib 96 may be provided in the base portion 92 if desired. Formed integrally with and extending outwardly from the base portion 92 is a plate 98 which provides a pair of oppositely disposed projections I00 which are adapted to engage the oppositely disposed grooves 62 of the base plate 56. A notch I02 is provided in the outwardly extending portion 98 between the base plate engaging portions I00 in order to provide a certain amount of resiliency between the projections I00 so that the clip may firmly engage the grooves 62 of the base plate 56. Further resiliency may be imparted by slots I04 positioned in the outwardly projecting portion 98. It will thus be observed that the base plate 56, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, may be secured in position by a base plate clip 90 which is adapted to be secured directly to a solid wall or other construction in the absence of metal stud bars and metal stud bar clips which have been described in the foregoing.

As indicated in Figs. 10 and 11, the base plate employed in the wall construction in accordance with this inventionmay be readily bent to form either an inside or an outside corner. This may be accomplished merely by notching the inwardly extending fiange portions as at I05 and bending the plate to the desired degree. The groove-like sockets are not distorted by the bending.

In order to splice a pair of base plates in endto-end relationship in accordance with this invention, a suitable tie bar I06 is provided as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The tie bar comprises a plate having edges adapted to fit within the oppositely disposed grooves 62 in each of a pair of abutting base plates. A resilient means comprising an outwardly bent deformation I08 is provided in order that the edges of the tie bar may be forced tightly into the grooves 62 of the base plate 56. The deformation I06 also provides an edge H0 which is accessible to hammering so that the tie bar may be forced into or from position by pounding if necessary. A slot II2 may be provided in the deformation I08 of the tie bar I06 in order to increase its resiliency and the readiness with which it may be inserted into the grooves 62 of the base plates 56. Fig. 4 shows the clip assembly in conjunction with the base plate and the tie bar. It will be observed that the flanges 60 of the base plate 56 abut the shoulders 14 on the base plate clip 66 to provide a space 16 between the base plate and the base plate clip as above pointed out. The tie bar I06 is positioned within the space 16. The notch 68 in the base plate clip 66 serves to provide a recess for the deformation I08 of the tie bar I06. A means is thus provided whereby the base plate clips may be secured to the base plates even adjacent the abutting ends of the base plates which may be secured together by means of a tie bar such as contemplated in the present invention.

A wall base construction is thus provided in accordance with the present invention which may be readily and economically installed on a floor space in any desired position. The clips for engaging the metal studs are separate and distinct from the clips for engaging the base plates. Each of the clips are adapted to be positioned along any portion of the floor or on any portion of the base plate, respectively, and may be suitably ngaged with each other. An important advantage of the base plate construction described in the present invention isthat the various elements of the construction may be separately assembled in various orders. Thus the stud engaging clip members may be attached to the floor or other suitable base either before or after the stud has been engaged therewith. The stud may be fixed in position after the clip has been attached by flexing it into position if desired. In accordance with another method, a channel bar stud may be engaged with the ceiling strip, lifted, and allowed to fall into engagement with the lower L-shaped clip after the latter has been secured in place on the floor. The base plates may be attached to the lower portion of the partition either before or after the studs have been put in place or before or after the stud engaging clips have been firmly secured to the floor. This is possible since separate clip means are employed for the base plates and they are separately engageable with the permanently fixed stud engaging clips. The clips may be adjusted in a vertical plane in relation to each other. Consequently, the base plate may be readily positioned to compensate for any unevenness in the floor. Likewise, the notches in the downwardly extending flange of the ceiling strip permit the strip to be bent in a vertical plane to compensate for any possible unevenness in the I ceiling.

It will thus be seen from the above description that a novel and useful means has been provided for installing a wall construction. The construction is capable of a wide range of uses, due largely to the fact that it does not have to be fabricated in the factory to any specified size. It is convenient to furnish the clips as standard units and the base sides and ceiling strips in standard lengths. The base sides, as indicated above, can be cut to length or notched or bent to conform with the needs of any particular room. The ceiling strip may be cut to any desired length. The use of the construction described herein involves almost the same degree of flexibility as does the use of wood trim. The prior art metal base constructions have been objectionable ince they have been fabricated in the factories to exact length and it has frequently been found later that the building would vary somewhat from these dimensions. The parts would then be unsatisfactory. These difficulties have been overcome by the construction herein described.

While several particular embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An adjustable clip assembly for securing a; base plate adjacent the lower end of a wall stud which comprises a stud engaging clip having a base portion with an upwardly extending flange portion and a tongue portion for embracing the lower end of said stud, and a base plate clip secured to said flange of said stud engaging clip in face-to-face relationship by vertically adjustable means.

2. An adjustable clip assembly for securing a base plate adjacent the lower end of a wall stud which comprises a stud engaging clip having a base portion with an upwardly extending flange portion and a tongue portion for embracing the lower end of said stud, a base plate clip firmly secured to said flange of said stud engaging clip in face-to-face relationship by vertically adjustable mean and means for preventing the rotation of said clips in relation to each other.

3. A base plate assembly for a wall structure comprising a plurality of base plates, a clip for holding a base plate in the desired position, and a tie bar for further holding said base plates in end-to-end relationship, each of said base plates having a main body portion and a pair of flanges extending from opposite edges thereof to form a pair of groove-like sockets, said clip comprising a plate-like body having wing-like projections for engaging said grooves in interlocking relationship and resiliency imparting means integral with said body and positioned between said wing-like projections whereby said base plate is firmly but resiliently engaged with said clip, said tie bar having a main body portion, the edges of which are in interlocking engagement with each of the sockets of a pair of abutting base plates whereby said base plates are firmly held together, said tie bars further having a resilient deformation positioned in its main body portion extending substantially parallel to the socket engaging edges for providing resiliency to said tie bar whereby the edges thereof are resiliently and firmly held within said sockets, said clip further having a cutout portion for receiving the deformation on the tie bar.

4; An elongated ceiling strip for engaging the upper ends of channel-bar wall studs arranged in a line which comprises a flange for securing said strip to a ceiling, a man body portion extending substantally perpendicular to said flange and having a plurality of closely spaced notches in the edge thereof opposite the flange but extending almost thereto, said notches providing recesses for engaging the ends of said channel-bar studs, and a deformation extending for the length of said main body portion adapted snugly to fit between the flanges of the channels of said studs when the latter are inserted into said notches.

5. The ceiling strip of claim 4 in which plaster receiving holes are positioned in said main body portion between said notches.

6. A wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending studs, means for engaging the upper ends of said studs, means for engaging the lower ends of said studs, said last-mentioned means comprising a plurality of upwardly extending projections for embracing each of said lower ends, a base plate extending along a line paralleling the line between said lower ends of the studs, and clip means removably securable to one of said projections for engaging said base plate whereby said base plate is held in a desired position and is detachable from the construction independently of said studs.

7. A metallic wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substanjections and for engaging said base plate whereby said base plate is held in a desired position and is detachable from the construction independently of said stud members.

8. A wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending studs, a web of expanded metal secured thereto, a ceilingrunner for engaging said studs at their upper ends, a plurality of individual clip members each including a base portion and a plurality of upwardly extending fiat projections for embracing the lower ends of a stud, a base plate extending along a line formed by said individual clip members and adjacent thereto, and a plurality of second clip members removably secured to said flat projections in face-to-face relation therewith fo engaging and positioning said base plate whereby said base plate is detachable from the construction independently of said studs.

9. A wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending metal studs arranged in a line, a notched ceiling strip for engaging the upper ends of said studs in spaced relationship, a plurality of individual clip members adjacent a door each including a plurality of upwardly extending flat projections for receiving the lower ends of said studs, a plurality of second clip members removably secured to said flat projections in face-to-face relationship therewith, a base plate extending along a line paralleling that formed by the lower ends of said studs, and means on said second cl p members and on said base plate co-operating firmly but removably to hold said base plate in a desired position adjacent the lower ends of said studs.

10. In a metal wall construction having substantially vertically extending studs and base plates adjacent the lower ends thereof, the improvement which comprises a plurality of individual clip members for positioning the lower ends of said studs adjacent a floor, each havin a flat projection associated therewith extending upwardly in a plane substantially perpendicular to said base plate, a plurality of second clip members for detachably engaging said base plate, and means for removably securing said second-mentioned clip members in face-to-face relationship with the flat projections of said first-mentioned clip members whereby said base plates may be assembled in the construction independently of the studs.

11. A structural assembly for positioning a base plate adjacent the lower end of a wall stud which comprises an individual stud engaging means including a base portion and a pair of upwardly extending projections between which said lower end is received, at least one of said projections being positioned in a plane substantially at right angles to said base plate, a clip member for removably engaging said base plate, and means co-operating between said clip member and the last-mentioned projection for removably securing them together in face-to-face relationship whereby said base plate is secured in a fixed position relative to the lower ends of said studs and is detachable therefrom independently of said studs and said stud-engaging means.

12. A structural wall assembly for positioning a base plate along a floor adjacent a line of the lower ends of a plurality of metal stud bars which comprises an L-shaped clip having a base portion secured to the floor in a desired position, an upwardly extending flange member and an upwardly struck tongue member substantially parallel thereto associated with said base portion to form a channel for receiving the lower end of a metal stud bar, a separate flat clip member for engaging said base plate, and means co-operating between said flange member and said separate clip member for removably securing them together whereby said base plate is positionable in fixed relationship to the lower end of said stud bar and is independently detachable therefrom.

13. A metal base for use in a wall construction comprising a base plate having flanges extending along the opposite sides thereof to provide a pair of groove-like sockets, a plate-like clip extending at an angle to said base plate and having a pair of projections on one edge for engaging said sockets in interlocking relationship, a second clip secured to a floor having a plurality of upstanding projections for receiving the lower end of a substantially vertically extending wall stud member, and means associated with said plate-like clip and one of said projections for interlocking said clip and member in face-to-face relationship whereby said base plate is positionable in fixed relation to the bottom end of said stud member and is independently detachable therefrom.

14. A clip for a base plate having longitudinally extending-flanges on either side thereof to provide a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like sockets which comprises a plate-like body portion having a pair of wing-like projections in the plane of the body portion adapted to engage said sockets in interlocking relationship and resiliency-imparting means including a deformation integral with said body portion and positioned between said projections whereby said base plate is firmly but resiliently engaged with said clip, said deformation being apertured to receive means for securing said clip to a wall construction.

15. A clip for a base plate having longitudinally extending flanges on either side thereof to provide a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like sockets, comprising a plate-like body portion hav ing a pair of projections in the plane of the body adapted to engage said grooves in interlocking relationship, and a resiliency-imparting cut-out portion including a deformation in said body portion between said projections whereby said base plate is firmly but resiliently engaged with said clip, said deformation being provided with a pair of registering apertures adapted to receive a, locking member for securing said clip to a wall construction.

16. A clip for positioning a pair of base plates in parallel spaced relationship adjacent a floor in a wall construction, each of said base plates having longitudinally extending flanges on either side thereof to provide a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like sockets, comprising a plate-like body portion having'two pairs of projections in the plane of the body adapted to engage said grooves in interlocking relationship, and resiliency-imparting means including a deformation integral with said main body portion and positioned between the projections engaging the opposite sockets of each base plate whereby each base plate is firmly but resiliently engaged with said clip, said deformation being apertured to receive means for securing said clip to a wall construction.

1'7. An elongated ceiling strip for engaging the upper ends of channel-bar wall studs arranged in a line which comprises means for securing said strip to a ceiling, a main body portion adapted to extend downwardly from said ceiling having a plurality of spaced recesses in the lower edge thereof for receiving the ends of said channelbar studs, and a deformation extending for the length of said main body portion adapted snugly to fit between the flanges of the channels of said studs when the latter are inserted into said recesses.

18. A clip for positioning a plate adjacent a wall surface which comprises an apertured elongated flat main body portion adapted to be secured to a wall support member, and a flange portion extending outwardly from one end of said main body portion, said flange having a pair of oppositely disposed wings adapted resiliently to engage oppositely disposed groove-like sockets in said plate and also having a cut-out portion between said wings for receiving a deformation in a splice bar adapted to engage said sockets and to secure said plate to another plate in end to end relationship.

19. A clip for positioning a base plate adjacent a lower wall surface which comprises an apertured elongated flat main body portion adapted to be secured to the outside face of a wooden wall stud and having a longitudinally extending reinforcing bead, and a flange portion extending outwardly from and substantially at right angles to said main body portion, said flange having a pair of oppositely disposed wings adapted resiliently to engage oppositely disposed groove-like sockets in said base plate and also having a cut-out portion between said wings for receiving a deformation in a splice bar adapted to engage said sockets whereby said base plate is secured to another base I plate in end to end relationship.

20. A metal wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending channel bars; a web of expanded metal secured thereto; a ceiling strip having an L-shaped cross section including a base portion contiguous to a ceiling, a downwardly extending main body portion having notches for engaging the upper ends of said channel bars in spaced relation and having a deformation extending for the length thereof for fitting snugly between the flanges of the channels of said channel bars for preventing substantial twisting thereof on their longitudinal axes; separate means adjacent a floor for engaging the lower ends of individual channel bars in spaced relationship; a base plate adjacent said floor and extending along a line paralleling the line between said separate channel bar engaging means, and separate means for removably securing said separate channel bar engaging means to said base plate whereby said base plate is held in the desired position.

21. A wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of substantially vertically extending metal channel bar stud members; means adjacent a ceiling for engaging said stud members in spaced relationship; a plurality of individual clip members adjacent a floor for engaging the lower ends of said stud members, each of said clips comprising a base portion having means for securing it to said floor and against which abuts the lower end of a stud member, an upwardly extending portion integral with said base portion for engaging the lower end of said stud member on the side opposite the channel, and a tongue parallel thereto extending upwardly from said base portion for holding said stud member on the side within the channel; a base plate adjacent said floor and substantially perpendicular thereto extending along a line paralleling the line between the lower ends Of removably but firmly held in position adjacent the lower ends of said stud members and independently detachable therefrom, said tongues on each of said base portions further fitting snugly in the channel of each of said stud members whereby substantial rotation of each stud memher about its longitudinal axis is prevented.

22. A metal base for use in a wall construction comprising a base plate having flanges extending longitudinally along the opposite sides thereof to provide groove-like sockets, a plate-like clip having a resiliency imparting deformation and a pair of projections for engaging said sockets in interlocking relationship, a second clip secured to a floor engaging the bottom end of a substantially vertically extending stud member, said second clip including a flange portion extending upwardly in a plane substantially perpendicular to said base plate, and means for interlocking said plate-like clip and said flange portion together in face-to-face relationship whereby said base plate is held in fixed relation to the bottom end of said stud member.

23. A clip assembly for positioning a base plate adjacent the lower end of a substantially vertically extending wall stud which comprises stud engaging means secured to a floor including a pair of upwardly extending projections providing a channel for receiving the lower end of said stud and a separate base plate engaging means removably secured to oneof said projections by vertically adjustable means whereby the relative positions of said base plate and said lower end of the wall stud may be vertically adjusted within predetermined limits.

24. A clip assembly for a well construction comprising a stud engaging clip, a plate-like base plate engaging clip, means for securing said stud engaging clip to a suitable base, flat projections extending upwardly from said stud engaging clip for embracing one end of a wall stud, at least one of said flat projections lying in a plane extending at an angle to the wall construction, oppositely disposed projections positioned on said base plate engaging clip for interlocking engagement with oppositely disposed grooves in a base plate, and adjustable means for securing said base plate engaging clip member with one of said flat projections in face-to-face relationship whereby the position of the base plate is vertically adjustable in relation to the one end of said stud for a limited distance.

25. A wall construction of the character described comprising a plurality of vertically extendingmetal channel bar stud members, means for engaging the upper ends of said stud members in spaced relationship, and a plurality of individual clip members for engaging the lower ends of said stud members, each of said clip members comprising a base portion, a pair of spaced, parallel, upwardly extending flat projections integral therewith forming a channel for emplanes substantially at right angles to the wall construction, and one of said flat projections being positioned within the channel of said stud membe: and fitted between the flanges thereof, thereby preventing substantial rotation of the stud on its longitudinal axis.

26. A clip assembly for securing a base plate adjacent the lower end of a wall stud which comprises a stud receiving means including a base portion with a pair of upwardly extending projections for embracing the lower end of said stud and means associated with one of said projections for engaging said base plate.

2'7. A clip assembly for securing a base plate adjacent the lower end of a wall stud, said base plate having longitudinally extending flanges on either side thereof to provide a pair of oppositely disposed groove-like sockets, which comprises a stud receiving means including a base portion and a pair of upwardly extending substantially parallel spaced fiat projections for embracing the lower end of said stud and means associated with one of said flat projections for engaging said sockets of said base plate in interlocking relationshin.

28. The clip assembly recited in claim 27 in which the socket engaging means on the one fiat projection is vertically adjustable for a limited distance. g

29. In a metal base construction of the character described including 'a pair of metal base plates and a wall element therebetween, the combination of a plurality of individual clip assemblies for securing said base plates to a suitable base, each of said clip assemblies comprising an individual anchoring member including an upstanding plate member secured to said base, a single plate-like clip member extending between said base plates for securing them in parallel spaced apart relationship, and means'associated with said plate member and said clip member for detachably securing them together in face to face relationship.

30. The metal base construction. recited in claim 29 wherein said last mentioned means is vertically adjustable.

' WILLIAM M. McNElL. 

